Molecular Scale Storage by Charge Trapping

Molecular Scale Storage by Charge Trapping

G. Szulczewski
Center for Materials for Information Technology
The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0209

In panel (a) the surface potential image obtained from Kelvin probe microscopy is shown of a 2nm film of 4AA/PD vapor deposited onto a Si(100) substrate. Panel (b) shows the surface potential contrast after contacting the film in 3 regions for 1 second. These regions remain charged for about 1 hour. In panel (c) the tip polarity is reversed over a charged domain to neutralized the stored charge. Panel (d) shows the region maybe recharged which demonstrates a reversible process.